The Sri Lankan Navy arrested at least 24 Indian fishermen for unlawful fishing on January 25 and 26th, according to reports. The navy said that three trawlers for illegal fishing were seized in two different incidents, both of which occurred off the coast of the northeastern Mannar district.
The incident was brought to light during the navy’s routine petrol of Sri Lankan waterways to control illegal fishing. According to the Ramanathapuram Fisheries Department, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended three boards for violating the IMBL: International Maritime Boundary Line.
The fishermen’s community condemned the ongoing arrest while urging the union government to take actions suitable to helping the released fish without massive penalties for boat seizure. The Indian High Commission last week stated that around 41 detained Indian fishermen were released after being caught for fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
Common Fishing Area: India- Sri Lanka
The topic remains a sensitive one between India and Sri Lanka. Many reported incidents suggest that the Sri Lankan Navy has shot Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and has seized many boating vessels from entering Sri Lankan water territories. However, the problem is that both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan fishermen use the waters of Palk Strait as a productive fishing area. Despite it being divided between the two countries, it is a common fishing ground for fishermen from both countries. That is why imposing imprisonment for accidentally entering each other’s territories is common.
Last year, around 529 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy for illegal fishing within the Sri Lankan Marine waters.
